Lilium - Lirio

The Lilium longiflorum 'Longwood' is a hybrid variety of Asian lily and Lilium longiflorum characterised by its vigour and magnificent colour of orange sprayed with mahogany red. The plant blooms in late June on a long, sturdy stem that will bear several large flowers, facing upwards. This variety appears to be less sensitive to cold than other hybrids in its group. It is an excellent cut flower, more long-lasting than classic Asian lilies, and its colour does not fade in the sun.

The 'Longwood' Lily is a horticultural creation. It is a bulbous plant with deciduous vegetation belonging to the lily family. It is part of a group of hybrids derived from Asian species such as Lilium longiflorum and L. formosanum, both somewhat frost-sensitive. These prized varieties in floristry are known to be somewhat susceptible to viruses and severe frosts. At full bloom, 'Longwood' will reach between 80 and 1.10 m in height, and its vegetation will spread over time, with bulbs producing numerous bulbils through vegetative propagation. Each floral stem bears 5 to 7 orange flowers measuring approximately 15 cm in diameter, facing towards the sky. They display a "sprayed" pattern, as if the throat of the flower, in burnt orange, had been sprinkled with mahogany. At the centre of each flower are yellow stamens with mahogany anthers. The long, glossy leaves, dark green in colour, are narrow and lanceolate, with parallel veins running through them. The vegetation dries up in autumn, while the bulb enters a resting phase. The bulbs are reserve organs with fleshy, overlapping scales.

Longiflorum hybrid lilies like 'Longwood' bloom after 12 or 13 weeks of cultivation, and they can be "forced" by planting them early in the season in a veranda or a warm room. The soil they are planted in should remain moist throughout the growth and flowering period. In the garden, you can pair 'Longwood' with non-invasive perennial plants (lupins, delphiniums) or undemanding small shrubs like Caryopteris 'Sterling Silver', bush cinquefoils in assorted colours, and even with small ground cover roses. Winter protection in the form of a thick mulch is not unnecessary in very cold regions. Lilies appreciate having their feet in the shade, and the latter will help prevent the stems from bending in the wind. The 'Longwood' lily will look stunning in borders, in containers, and of course in a bouquet.